Thank you for your service, Sheriff Dunlap

For nearly 30 years Dan Dunlap has been the face of law enforcement in Lake County. Now, after 46 years of law enforcement service to the citizens of Lake County, 27 of those as sheriff, Dunlap has officially retired. His last day was Aug. 31.

What’s changed in those 27 years? Nearly everything. The tools of law enforcement are drastically different as are the challenges officers face.

No longer are fingerprints done with ink and paper. It’s a computerized process that can scan through thousands of files “while you’re sleeping.” There are drones that can enter homes. The image of a person using a stolen credit card can be captured by a security camera and then that image can be broadcast to thousands on social media who can help identify the suspect.

“I also didn’t realize that we would enter into an opioid crisis, that computers would be so intertwined with our activities and that we would be doing so much not only to rely on them, but also in defending (ourselves) against them. I didn’t know a lot when I ran for sheriff, but I knew people and I enjoy working with people.”

A dedicated public servant, the Republican was elected to the post of sheriff seven times. Yet as he says “I ran as the Republican sheriff, but as soon as you’re sworn in, you’re the sheriff for everybody, the Democrats, Independents and non-registered (voters) in the county.”

During his career, Dunlap has garnered numerous honors and recognition — making his mark on our community.

He served as one of the first team members of the first SWAT team formed in Ohio, and also worked as a special investigator for the Lake County Prosecutor’s Office.

He has been an instructor in the Basic Police Academy; instructor for the Ohio Sheriff’s Administrative Training school; and was the first certified sheriff in Ohio for Drug and Alcohol Treatment.

He has received the Lake County Bar Association Liberty Bell Award, recognizing him for promoting the principles of the United States Constitution. And he twice received the Lake County Blue Coats Award as the outstanding police officer in the county for excellence in service.

He also received the Deputy of Year award when he was recognized as the outstanding deputy at the sheriff’s office prior to being elected sheriff. In addition, he was honored by Riverside High School in his induction to the Hall of Fame.

Recognized by Concord Township as the Citizen of the Year, he also received the Distinguished Service award from the Painesville Township School District. Dunlap was also named NAACP Man of the Year, and most recently was recognized as Leader of the Year by Leadership Lake County.

Dunlap said that his decision to retire wasn’t easy.

“If I was a better fisherman or golfer, I would have retired years ago, so I haven’t been in a rush to get away from the job,” Dunlap said. “It’s been a pleasure working with everyone.

“I’m a lucky, lucky man. Lake County has great people and has had great public officials. I was born in Lake County, and I tell people all the time, it was never great planning, it was dumb luck. Thank you all, thank you for being the people you are. I appreciate it.”

Thank you, Sheriff Dunlap, for your dedicated service. Enjoy your retirement.